Being a Director of City Planning is glamorous, right? Isn’t that what Seinfeld taught us?

Rob Richardson has been a Planning Director in both Kansas City, Kansas (the Unified Government of Wyandotte County) and Raymore, Missouri. He’s also worked as a planner in Independence, Missouri. We discuss the reality of the job in those communities, and the challenges of working in places that aren’t wealthy.

While in KCK, Rob advanced numerous efforts including design guidelines for development of narrow lots (of which there are thousands in the older part of the city), a Traditional Neighborhood Development ordinance, a Sidewalk and Trail Plan, a Downtown Plan, and much more. We talk about the successes and failures of all this, and also the remarkable success KCK has had in turning its Land Bank around in recent years while working with smaller builders and developers.

Rob is now back in the private sector, leading Richardson Brothers Development. Here’s his LinkedIn page.

Find more content on The Messy City on Kevin’s Substack page.

Music notes: all songs by low standards, ca. 2010. Videos here. If you’d like a CD for low standards, message me and you can have one for only $5.

Intro: “Why Be Friends”

Outro: “Fairweather Friend”

Get full access to The Messy City at kevinklinkenberg.substack.com/subscribe